Coaches flock to Kansas to scout junior-college talent

Some from USC Upstate, Wofford in attendance at NJCAA tournament

Published: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 12:34 a.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hundreds and hundreds of college basketball coaches are here at the NJCAA tournament just to watch.

They are wearing their school logos. They have notebooks and folders. They visit pleasantly with each other but are careful not to really say anything. They slip down to the lobby of the Hutchinson Sports Arena and get on their cell phones, covering their mouths with their hands when they talk.

These guys are looking for players. And there are plenty in this event that features 24 of the best junior college teams in the country. For many of the participants, their basketball futures depend on what happens this week.

“Stock can go way up — or way down,” said Spartanburg Methodist head coach Jeff Brookman, whose top-ranked and undefeated team features several players under those watchful eyes. “Kids are really under the microscope out here.”

“If a kid plays well, he will elevate his status because he's playing against the best talent,” Payne said. “If he plays badly, he might drop from a high major to a mid-major. … There usually aren't a lot of surprises. These coaches work hard and recruiting has become so sophisticated. They know where guys are. Sleepers are rare.”

Coaches from teams like USC Upstate and Wofford want to see their prospective recruits play well — but not too well.

“When I was at Louisiana-Monroe,” Hauser said, “we recruited a kid for about seven months and he had all but verbally committed to us. His team made it to Hutch and he ended up signing with Texas Tech. The exposure these players have in Hutch is tremendous.”

Payne said he is here looking for a specific type of player and four of those prospects are playing in the tournament. He, like many of the other coaches, has been not only to games but also practices taking place in the surrounding high schools.

“You're always open for everything,” Payne said. “But we have four kids out here that we came specifically to watch.”

Hauser said he is here to send a message to a couple of players the Wofford coaches believe they are very close to getting commitments from.

“We want them to know that we're making this trip for them,” Hauser said. “We'd like to have both of them. We really like them. Both of the kids are very good students and Wofford-types, academically. We've got to find a way to get them to campus. It's tough. I'm sure the competition for them will increase this week. We just hope they see that we've been consistent through the recruiting process. We've followed them the entire season and we'll be there at the end, hoping they pick black and gold.”

Coaches are not permitted to have any contact with players in the tournament until their teams have been eliminated, and only then when the player is actually outside the arena. But the coaches want to make sure they are seen, which is most easily done at practice.

<p>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hundreds and hundreds of college basketball coaches are here at the NJCAA tournament just to watch. </p><p>They are wearing their school logos. They have notebooks and folders. They visit pleasantly with each other but are careful not to really say anything. They slip down to the lobby of the Hutchinson Sports Arena and get on their cell phones, covering their mouths with their hands when they talk.</p><p>These guys are looking for players. And there are plenty in this event that features 24 of the best junior college teams in the country. For many of the participants, their basketball futures depend on what happens this week.</p><p>“Stock can go way up — or way down,” said Spartanburg Methodist head coach Jeff Brookman, whose top-ranked and undefeated team features several players under those watchful eyes. “Kids are really under the microscope out here.”</p><p>USC Upstate head coach Eddie Payne and assistant Kyle Perry are here, as is Wofford assistant Gus Hauser.</p><p>“If a kid plays well, he will elevate his status because he's playing against the best talent,” Payne said. “If he plays badly, he might drop from a high major to a mid-major. … There usually aren't a lot of surprises. These coaches work hard and recruiting has become so sophisticated. They know where guys are. Sleepers are rare.”</p><p>Coaches from teams like USC Upstate and Wofford want to see their prospective recruits play well — but not too well.</p><p>“When I was at Louisiana-Monroe,” Hauser said, “we recruited a kid for about seven months and he had all but verbally committed to us. His team made it to Hutch and he ended up signing with Texas Tech. The exposure these players have in Hutch is tremendous.”</p><p>Payne said he is here looking for a specific type of player and four of those prospects are playing in the tournament. He, like many of the other coaches, has been not only to games but also practices taking place in the surrounding high schools.</p><p>“You're always open for everything,” Payne said. “But we have four kids out here that we came specifically to watch.”</p><p>Hauser said he is here to send a message to a couple of players the Wofford coaches believe they are very close to getting commitments from. </p><p>“We want them to know that we're making this trip for them,” Hauser said. “We'd like to have both of them. We really like them. Both of the kids are very good students and Wofford-types, academically. We've got to find a way to get them to campus. It's tough. I'm sure the competition for them will increase this week. We just hope they see that we've been consistent through the recruiting process. We've followed them the entire season and we'll be there at the end, hoping they pick black and gold.”</p><p>Coaches are not permitted to have any contact with players in the tournament until their teams have been eliminated, and only then when the player is actually outside the arena. But the coaches want to make sure they are seen, which is most easily done at practice.</p><p>Then the real game begins.</p>